The Geomate.Jr. is an affordable and easy way to get in on the geocaching fun!

* The family-friendly Geomate.jr comes preloaded with approximately 250,000 geocache locations covering all 50 U.S. states
* Simply turn the unit on and it will navigate you to your current location's closest geocache; hit the "Next" button and Geomate.jr will direct you to the next closest cache
* Along with cache location, Geomate.jr provides important information like size, terrain, difficulty rating and the Geocaching.com ID code for each cache
* The Geomate.jr allows you to set a "home" waypoint to which it can guide you back
* Displays compass heading, latitude and longitude
* Visit log allows you to mark geocaches and review them later to keep track of which caches you've already found
* With new caches being created all the time, an optional update kit (sold separately) allows you to add all the newest caches to the Geomate.jr database. (Available June 2009)
* Geomate.jr is powered by 2 AAA batteries

I am not sure what to think...I can see the positive uses for something like this for the young cacher...but also see how this had gotten people worked up..._________________You may only be young once...but I will be immature forever!!!

Looks like a nice unit for kids, but an etrex is just as good and just as durable. Considering I go after all kinds of caches, I couldn't get this for my kids as they would be disappointed if they couldn't use the gps to find the multi, puzzle, etc.

I'm not gonna get all worked up about the 250000 waypoints like on the nat'l forums. Groundspeak is entitled to do what ever they want with their data._________________Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

That way, the kids can do the multies and such, but it's basic enough and cheap enough that if they lose it or is breaks, you're not out a ton of money. The real downside to the H is the lack of data transfer and such.

Michael at 7:10pm May 12
Congrats on the launch, looks interesting. My question would be about the caches that come loaded, how were they picked? And i assume they are kid or family friendly?

Jeremy Irish at 7:20pm May 12
All caches should be family friendly, though we did drop traditional caches with higher difficulty and terrain levels, and picked caches that have a good find history. The update kit will provide a more custom selection.

It's meant to be a straightforward kid-friendly device, but it is also great for spontaneous geocaching (that is if you don't have an iPhone)_________________Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

I was supposed to interview them for the podcast last week, but it got pushed off until this week. If anyone has any questions, post them here, and I'll do my best to ask them. I'm concerned about caches being disabled/archived and that never making it to the unit, how long before the number of caches in the unit which are no longer active becomes untrustworthy?

I was supposed to interview them for the podcast last week, but it got pushed off until this week. If anyone has any questions, post them here, and I'll do my best to ask them. I'm concerned about caches being disabled/archived and that never making it to the unit, how long before the number of caches in the unit which are no longer active becomes untrustworthy?

What happens if the cache becomes disabled?_________________~~ I was told all I needed was a GPS. I wanted everything else. ~~

I was supposed to interview them for the podcast last week, but it got pushed off until this week. If anyone has any questions, post them here, and I'll do my best to ask them. I'm concerned about caches being disabled/archived and that never making it to the unit, how long before the number of caches in the unit which are no longer active becomes untrustworthy?

What happens if the cache becomes disabled?

Or moved.

These questions become especially relevant in cases of land ownership, safety, etc.

I'm guessing that part of their answer revolves around the fact that they are picking established caches that aren't likely to have these issues.

I'd also be curious on their pricing versus an eTrex that one can modify the waypoints. What's the advantage to their unit over an eTrex?_________________Hmm...

Seems to be an interesting topic on the nationals...what do the local think???

Three quick thoughts.

I do not have any kids so I might change my tune when the day comes, but I always envisioned everyone in the family using real devices. Looking up the caches online and planning out your trip is part of the fun. "Dad, these week night caches does not show up in my geomate, I want a real one". This seems more targetted towards non-gps families.

We noticed last year what it means when people are introduced to geocaching without knowing about the GC.com website. If this device becomes popular these caches might become new locations where TBs vanish.

Lastly, I am curious to see which caches they picked in our state. I would guess at least a couple of hundred, maybe a thousand. Please post them here if anyone find out. If looks like they will be sold on REI so maybe it will be possible to figure out while demoing one.

We noticed last year what it means when people are introduced to geocaching without knowing about the GC.com website. If this device becomes popular these caches might become new locations where TBs vanish.

Ouch.... good point. Makes you really think about putting out those way cool coins that people love to take and never place._________________~~ I was told all I needed was a GPS. I wanted everything else. ~~

I just completed my interview with the designer of the GeoMate jr. I believe I asked or had answered everyone's questions, the main thing he had to say was that the unit is designed for a beginner, someone who isn't a cacher and is just trying the sport out. Or designed for kids to use so as to not wreck their parents expensive GPS. I think that answers most of the questions.

it has a SurfIII GPS chipset in it, so it's equilivant to a 60/76 Cx, in that respect, and retails (MSRP) for $70 at REI. Check out the rest of the interview when I publish it this Sunday/Monday at http://www.tcgcpc.com
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